Hub Member, David Barton has a background in podiatory, having studied it at university along with a desire to explore past limitations of medical devices. Regional Talent Engines was the perfect catalyst to explore these ideas and accelerate their route to market. David and his co-founder Heather Smart now have sales within the NHS and with Boots.com, with plans for their products to hit the shelves of bricks and mortar stores very soon...
What inspired you to start this venture? Was there a personal story or problem you wanted to solve?
As podiatrists, my co-founder Heather Smart and I were inspired by the limitations of existing medical devices and the challenges we faced prescribing them during our university studies. This first hand experience motivated us to innovate cost-effective, fast, and effective treatment and preventative products for pressure-induced wounds, aiming to provide better solutions for patients. Our venture was born from a desire to directly address these unmet needs.
The Regional Talent Engine programme has been instrumental in helping me move our ideas forward by providing essential knowledge and skills in business development and finance
What stage were you at when you joined Regional Talent Engines?
When we joined Regional Talent Engines, Kaydiar Ltd. was at an early development stage. We had already innovated our first patented class 1 medical device, ZeroSole and DiaSole, and secured additional funding to develop our next innovation: PROmorph.
What made you apply to our pre-seed programme?
I applied to the Regional Talent Engines programme to enhance my business development and finance skills, and to gain knowledge on how to access further grant funding. The programme offered an opportunity to develop essential skills for scaling Kaydiar Ltd and securing the financial resources necessary to support our innovation.
What was your experience like on the programme? Any learnings or challenges?
The experience resulted in increased organisation and a better understanding of the UK funding landscape. Standout moments included the funding landscape workshop and the invaluable advice from my personal mentor, specifically concerning the financial structuring of our e-commerce site's subscription plans. These insights have been instrumental in refining our business model and strategy.
How did the funding and support impact your journey
The programme has been instrumental in helping me move our ideas forward by providing essential knowledge and skills in business development and finance. Moreover, the programme has significantly boosted my confidence as a founder. The funding and support from the Regional Talent Engine had a significant impact by allowing me to dedicate more time and effort to developing our innovation, PROmorph. Professionally, it facilitated the progression of our projects and helped us become more organised. Personally, it boosted my confidence in navigating the complexities of funding and solidifying our business plans, contributing to both business growth and personal development.
What’s next for you and your venture – any exciting plans or milestones on the horizon?
The immediate next steps for Kaydiar Ltd involve scaling our first product and launching our second brand within this year. Looking further ahead, we are focused on launching our IUK innovation by 2026. Alongside these product launches, we are committed to growing our team to support and sustain our ambitious growth trajectory.
To anyone considering applying to Regional Talent Engines, but feeling unsure, I would strongly advise them to apply and to approach the program with an open mind. Be receptive to feedback and advice, and be prepared to adapt and take positive action, even in the face of setbacks or negative experiences. The willingness to embrace change and learn from both successes and failures is crucial for maximising the benefits of the program.
Quick fire
I am inspired by...My co-founder, Heather Smart, and my parents
When I was a child, I wanted to be… a plastic surgeon
I am currently binging... House of the Dragon
Best piece of advice I've ever received... Always watch that cash flow (can't say it enough)!!!!
Conversely, the worst piece of advice... Using agencies to do all the work for you (got to do it yourself)
If I were an investor, the Hub Member I would invest in is... Mike Attard (I understand his market and what he is doing)
The one thing I know now that I wish someone had told me when I first started... How to conduct effective D2C marketing
Regional talent Engines is a pre-seed accelerator for early-stage engineering and technology entrepreneurs, based in Northern England, Northern Ireland and Wales. Applications open twice a year, in the early Spring and Autumn.